December 7, 2006

“Instead, continue to encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

Sin is very deceptive; it’s always saying, “the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.” I hate sin. Sin destroys. Sin, by nature, is destructive. That’s why it is sin. The thief has come to steal, kill, and destroy; but Christ has come to give life and life more abundantly. In order to steal, kill, and destroy, the thief must entice mankind into sin. When man takes the bait, he has been tricked into destroying himself. Satan doesn’t have the power to steal, kill, and destroy directly. If he did, then he’d go around knocking everybody on the head with a baseball bat. He’s called ‘the tempter.’ He entices. He seduces. He persuades. He’s a dirty, low-life that knows his end is soon and because he hates God, he’s decided he will do whatever he can to hurt God as much as he can. And nothing hurts God more than to see His precious creation deceived into Hell.

So we must encourage one another daily. Another translation says we much exhort one another daily. Both are true. There are too many christians who are not being encouraged or exhorted. Yeah, the get it on Sunday and sometimes wednesday, but the rest of the week – nothing. I know its true for me. I have to encourage myself by listening to tapes and reading books and spending time with God.

This is something that I really need to improve in. I need to actively seek to help encourage and exhort my brothers and sisters so then aren’t hardened by sin.